Russell Crowe in Talks for 'Superman' Role

It's being reported that Russell Crowe could end up starring in the upcoming Superman film, 'Man of Steel.' Negotiations are currently underway for the Australian actor to play the role of Jor-El, the father of Superman.

Jor-El was portrayed by Marlon Brando in the iconic 1978 film that starred Christopher Reeve; he was famously paid $16 million for a part that only amounted to 15 minutes of screen time (in sequences leading up to Jor-El saving his son by sending him off in a rocket ship right before the destruction of their home planet, Krypton). What role Jor-El will play in 'Man of Steel' has yet to be announced.

Hit the jump for what we already know about the upcoming reboot.

Henry Cavill has already been cast in the Superman role, with Amy Adams playing the part of Lois Lane. Superman's American parents, Jonathan and Martha Kent, will be portrayed by Kevin Costner and Diane Lane, respectively.

Shooting is scheduled to begin this summer, with Zack Snyder in the director's chair. As far as the plot goes, we still know very little. However, Lane recently let slip that the film "does cover the entire range of years, from infancy on."